Using a light microscope is one of the basic skills of science laboratory work. In this interactive, students will learn how to choose the correct lens, adjust lighting and magnification, and prepare a slide for viewing on a compound optical microscope. The animation guides students through theory and practice of using a microscope, so that they will have familiarity with the equipment and procedures when encountered in a real lab. Students will need to handle the equipment and simulate the proper procedures to be able to move on to the next steps. This particular example focuses on viewing bacteria with different stains as a way to analyze whether a yogurt sample may be contaminated with a harmful pathogen. Educators with younger students may choose to concentrate their lessons on the main workings of the microscope as well as how to multiply for correct magnification. Educators with more advanced students can also use the interactive to introduce the process of Gram staining and the study of food safety.
In this lesson plan which is adaptable for grades 6-12, students practice using a microscope in a virtual lab. Students use BrainPOP resources to learn how microscopes work, and then use a free online interactive to practice choosing the correct microscope lens, adjust lighting and magnification, and prepare a slide for viewing on a compound optical microscope in order to analyze yogurt samples and test for Salmonella and E. coli. This lesson plan is aligned to Common Core State Standards. See more »